Deauville History, France

Once upon a time there was a little village –Dosville – with a 12th century church, Saint-Laurent Church, and with about 100 inhabitants who were living on agriculture and stockbreeding – mainly sheep and cows. In 1858 the Duke of Morny wanted to build here, on this surface of sand and marches, a land of elegance, near Paris. He engaged in the project a doctor, a banker and an architect to create a seaside resort. The new city - Deauville - comes out of the sand between 1860 and 1864 with its first villas, a racecourse and a railway connected to Paris. 1911, the „belle epoque” period witnessed the construction of big hotels and of a casino.

The First World War suspended the entire joyful atmosphere but once over, it could not keep away the stars of the period that met there regularly: Maurice Chevalier, Gustave Flaubert, Josephine Baker, Coco Chanel or Colette. Deauville becomes an international resort and therefore, in 1931, opens an airport at 8 km away and adds new activities, such as: yachting, tennis, horse riding, polo, golf. But it’s again time to pause, as the Second World War breaks out.

After the liberation, in the ‘60, Deauville becomes more aware of its image and assets, as well as of the necessity to adapt to the new clientele’s demands. The building of a highway, of many residences and hotels, of an olympic pool, a balneal therapy center and of a second harbor are several steps that took Deauville to the top seaside resorts in France.

In 1975, Deauville hosts the American Film Festival, becoming thus the incontrovertible meeting place of the American movies.

Throughout its history, Deauville had the resources to evolve in time, keeping its beauty and its cultural and architectural roots. Today, its representatives as well as its visitors continue to invest in its future as a great destination. Deauville lives during all seasons, between tourists and congressmen, keeping up with the rhythm of many events and cultural manifestations.